Plug and two-piece receptacle



Sept. 29, 1970 W. HANSEN PLUG AND TWO-PIECE RECEPTACLE Filed March 20,1968 United States Patent 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A terminalconnector including a composite multi-part insulating terminal blockwith multiple bores therethrough for mounting electrical terminals withattached wire leads and adapted for connection at a predeterminedposition of installation to another mating terminal block carryingmating electrical terminals; the composite insulating terminal blockpresenting an elongate cross-section transversely with respect to thewidth thereof and being divided into plural body parts each havinginterengageable surface formations along adjacent edges permittingseparation thereof for independent threading of each body part andattached wire leads through relatively small and variously shaped spacesnormally inaccessible for passage of the assembled composite terminalblock, to the position of installation where the proximately locatedbody parts are joined together by interengagement of the surfaceformations therebetween into the assembled composite terminal block forattachment thereof to a mating terminal block carrying mating terminals.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in terminalconnectors for electrical circuits and more particularly to suchimprovements in a composite insulating terminal body carrying terminalelements to which are attached wire leads.

In many installations, space is too confined for locating terminalconnectors of normal size and shape. This is particularly true Where atleast one of the terminal connectors with preassembled terminals andwire leads must be passed or threaded in one direction through elongateand relatively confined passages often partially obstructed along thelength thereof to further limit the space available for passing theconnector and attached wire leads therethrough to a final position ofinstallation which is normally accessible from the opposite direction.As an example, multiple wires are led through the relatively small andarcuately shaped space within a steering column assembly, that is, thespace between the housing and steeirng shaft. These wires and terminalconnector are to be ultimately located at the head of the steeringcolumn which is accessible at that location for attachment of a matingterminal connector. This is but one example of an environment wherespace is limited and usually of a somewhat abnormal configuration. Theproblems outlined in the foregoing paragraph are overcome in the presentinvention by the provision of a pair of generally similar arcuateterminal bodies having interlocking, specifically T-shaped connectingmeans along confronting longitudinal edges thereof. The two bodiesindividually are small enough to fit into the restricted space, and arethereafter interlocked in an edge-to-edge relation providing a compoundbody of arcuate crosssection too large to have been moved as an entityinto 3,531,759 Patented Sept. 29, 1970 ice passage of each body partwith the wire leads through a limited space area for assembly togetherat a point of final installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved multi-partinsulating body of the above type wherein the body parts have mutuallycooperating and engageable surface formations permitting initialseparation therebetween for separate manipulation and location of eachbody part at the point of final installation and unitary assemblythereof at the point of final installation by interengaging the mutuallycooperating surface formations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a terminal connector ofthe above type wherein the body parts are shaped to generally conform tothe space available for installation such as an arcuate configuration.

A still :further object of the invention is to provide a terminalconnector of the above type and an additional terminal connector of onepiece construction for mating association therewith at the point ofinstallation which is usually externally accessible at that point forapplication of the additional terminal connector.

The invention still further aims to provide a composite terminalconnector of relatively simple construction with improvedinterengageable surface formations facilitating joining of the bodyparts at the point of installation.

The above and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious andwill be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top view partly in section showing the terminal connector inrelation to a steering column as merely an example of one installation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the one piece terminal connector;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the multi-part terminal connector;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded view showing details of theconnecting means between adjacent body parts of the connector shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the separated body parts of theconnector shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line6-6 of FIG. 1:

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 ofFIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 88 of FIG. 3.

For purposes of illustration and example only, there is shown in FIG. 1a steering column including a housing 10 and an internal shaft 12 with arather limited radial space therebetween. This is to illustrate aninstallation where it might be impossible to pass through this space anormal size terminal connector with wire leads preassembled therewithfor ultimate positioning of the connector at the head or outer end ofthe column. For example, additional mechanical instrumentalities may beincluded within the casing, as well as transverse struts, to furtherlimit the space available for passage of a connector therethrough withattached wire leads. After positioning of the terminal connector at theouter end of the column with the attached wire leads now passing throughthe column, this terminal connector is now accessible for attachmentthereto of a mating terminal connector 14 to complete the variousconnections and circuits. The terminal connector 14 is illustrated inFIG. 2 in the form of a one-piece insulating body block of arcuateconfiguration and of elongate cross-section with respect to thetransverse width thereof. This insulating block has extendinglongitudinally through the body portion thereof a plurality of groups ofbores 16, 16a arranged on opposite sides of a medial portion 17. Thebody portion terminates at an outwardly offset and depending peripheralskirt 18 having spaced lateral openings 20, 20a therethrough .(similaropenings being provided at the opposite side of the skirt) with theadjacent exposed surfaces 21, 21a of the body portion forming an upperboundary for the openings.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown a multipart insulating terminalblock 22 of arcuate configuration and cross-section complemental to thatof the block shown in FIG. 2. As illustrated, this block 22 comprises apair of body parts 23, 24 each having groups of bores 26, 26acomplementing the groups of bores in the block 14 shown in FIG. 2. Withparticular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the interengaging surfaceportions between the body parts 23, 24 of the composite block 22 areshown more in detail. Thus, the body part 23 is provided with a rib 28extending outwardly from substantially the center of the longitudinaledge thereof. This rib terminates in a key or plate portion 30 normalthereto and presenting oppositely directed flange portions 31, 31a. Theplate portion 30 terminates short of the bottom edge of the body part 23and the rib 28a therebelow projects outwardly from the body part alesser distance than the primary rib 28. Intermediate the longitudinalextent of the key or plate portion 30 there are provided lug portions32, 32a projecting outwardly from the adjacent surfaces of the rib 28.Each lug includes upwardly facing shoulders 34, 34a and at the oppositeend thereof downwardly and inwardly inclined camming surfaces 35, 35a.

Still with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the body part 24 includes withinthe longitudinal edge thereof a vertical recess 36 having a transversedimension complementing the transverse width of the plate portion 30 anda reduced slot portion 37 opening outwardly. Outwardly projecting lugformations 38, 38a present inwardly directed flanges 39, 39a spacedapart in accordance with the width of the slot 37 and dimensioned tocomplement and snuggly receive the rib 28 therebetween. The depth of therecess 36 and slot 37 is essentially the same as the longitudinal lengthof the plate portion 30 so as to provide an interfitting T-like keyconnection in the nature of a modified dovetail joint. The verticallength of the projecting lugs 38, 38a and flanges 39, 39a issubstantially equal tothe distance at which the lug shoulders 34, 34aare disposed below the upper extremity of the rib 28. The outer face 40of the longitudinal edge of the body part 24 is disposed inwardly of theouter extremity of the lugs 38, 38a so that when the body parts 23, 24are interfitted, the lower portion 28a of the rib 28 will engage theadjacent surface of outer face 40 of the body part 24 and the lower endof the plate portion 30 and adjacent lateral edge portion of the rib 28will bottom, respectively, on the b0ttom of the recess 36 and the bottomof the slot 37.

Both terminal blocks 14, 22 have metallic terminal elements mounted inthe bores thereof, and either block may carry male or female terminalelements. However, for purposes of illustration and with reference toFIG. 6, the male terminal elements or prongs 42 are mounted within thebores 16, 16a of the block 14 by means of oppositely facing internalshoulders presented by an internal constricting portion 44 similar tothat shown in the patent to John H. Krehbiel, No. 3,178,673. Where suchmale terminal elements or prongs with lead wires 45 preassembledtherewith are mounted in the block 14, female socket type elements 46will be mounted in the bores 36, 26a of the two-part block 22 as alsoshown in FIG. 6. Here, the bores are also provided with intermediateconstricting portions 48 presenting oppositely facing shoulder surfacesto trap therein a female socket terminal 46 to the lower end of whichlead Wires 50 are preassembled. Thus, both the female socket elements 46and the associated lead wires 50 are preassembled with the body parts23, 24 of the multi-part block 22.

In a typical installation where the composite block 22 and preassembledterminals and lead wires is to be passed through a limited space areaoffering internal obstructions to the through-passage thereof, the bodyparts 23, 24 are separated, as shown in FIG. 5. Each body part and thelead Wires preassembled therewith may then be separately passed throughthe limited space area or threaded therethrough to by-pass obstructionsin reaching the final position of installation. At such position, thetwo body parts 23, 24 are interconnected. For this purpose, these bodyparts are positioned adjacent one another with the lower end of theplate portion 30 of the body part 23 aligned with the recess 36 in thebody part 24. In such position, the rib 28 will initially align with thespace between the inwardly directed flanges 39, 39a. Relative slidingmovement of the two body parts to reach the assembled position of FIG. 3will result in the camming surfaces 35, 35a of the lugs 32, 32ainitially spreading the lug portions 38, 38a until the lug shoulders 34,34a are positioned therebene'ath when the portions 38, 38a will snapinwardly over the shoulders 34, 34a and lock the two body parts inposition. Thus, there is provided an interfitting rib and grooveconnection between the body parts and also cooperating lug formations oneach body part to prevent separation thereof. The composite bodyassembly 22 may then be positioned at the point of installation forreception of the other block 14 with its terminals and wirespreassembled therewith. To connect the two blocks 14, 22 and theincluded terminals, the body part 23 includes an outward lug-52 havingupper and lower camming surfaces 53, 54, respectively. Similarly, theblock 24 has an outward lug portion 52a with similar upper and lowercamming surfaces 53, 54, respectively. It is to be understood thatsimilar lugs are provided on the opposite surface of the two body parts,as shown in FIG. 5, for cooperation with corresponding openings in theskirt 18. When the block 14 is interfitted with the now assembledcomposite block 22, the upper camming surfaces 53, 53a will spread theskirt 18 outwardly and then the lug portions 52, 52a will snap into thecomparable openings 20, 20a in the skirt. This will fix the twocontainers in circuit-completing position. In like manner, when theconnector block 14 is to be disconnected from the composite block 22,the lower cam surfaces 54, 54a will again expand the skirt 18 for thispurpose and permit separation. After such separation of the connectorblocks 14, 22, it may be necessary or desirable for one reason oranother to disassemble the body parts 23, 24 of the composite block 22,as for replacement, repair, relocation or the like. To facilitate suchseparation of the body blocks, there is provided an access space belowthe lug formations 38, 38a and one such an access space is designated at60 in FIG. 3. Since the lugs 32, 32a do not extend outwardly the entirewidth of the rib 28 (see FIG. 6) there is space available for insertionof a suitable implement, such as one having a hooked end, into thisaccess space for upward engagement between the inner surface of theflanges 39, 39a and the adjacent surfaces of the rib 28 to pry the lugformations 38, 38a outwardly to clear the respective shoulders 34, 34aand thus permit reverse relative sliding between the body parts 23, 24for separation thereof.

The connector blocks are illustrated as being elongate and of relativelynarrow transverse width or cross-section and specifically shown as beingarcuate. The particular shape of the blocks may be varied in accordancewith the space configuration available at the point of ultimateinstallation, that is, the blocks may be variously angled or shaped forthis purpose. The important consideration is that the connector carryingthe preassembled wires through relatively inaccessible or partiallyobstructed spaces, is divided into more than one body part with adjacentlongitudinal edges of each body part provided with interengaging surfaceformations permitting assembly of the several parts into the compositeconnector block at the point of ultimate installation. Thus, these bodyparts can be initially separated and passed as smaller unitsindividually through the relatively inaccessible or partially obstructedspaces with the trailing attached wire leads conforming to anyirregularities in the traversed space. Then the several body parts areassembled together in predetermined shape of the composite connectorblock at the point of ultimate installation for receiving a matingconnector.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical terminal connector comprising a com posite multi-partinsulating body assembly presenting an elongate cross-sectiontransversely with respect to the width thereof and having multiple boresspaced along the transverse extent of the assembly and extendinglongitudinally through the body parts and within the longitudinal edgesthereof, means within each bore for mounting therein a metallicelectrical member for preassembly with lead Wires, and means providinginterlocking surface formations along adjacent longitudinal edges of thebody parts permitting independent manipulation and passage of eachindividual body part through limited space areas to a position proximateto that of final installation, and said interlocking surface formationsincluding a pair of resiliently spreadable lugs on one body part withinward shoulders and a pair of camming lugs on the other body part withshoulders snapping behind the said inward shoulders after the camminglugs pass between and spread the resilient lugs and permit the same toreturn to normal position whereby to connect together the body parts asthe composite assembly forming the terminal connector with a greaterelongate cross-section adapted for attachment thereof as a unit to amating terminal connector.

2. An electrical terminal connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein theinterengageable surface formations include a rib extending outwardlyfrom the edge of one body part terminating in a transverse plate portionand a complemental T-shaped recess along a portion of the edge of anadjacent body part for receiving the rib and the plate portion ininterlocking engagement therewith.

3. An electrical terminal connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein theT-shaped recess is partially defined by a pair of outwardly projectinglug members presenting inwardly directed flanges receiving the ribtherebetween.

4. An electrical terminal connector comprising a composite multi-partinsulating body assembly presenting an elongate cross-sectiontransversely with respect to the width thereof and having multiple boresspaced along the transverse extent of the assembly and extendinglongitudinally through the body parts thereof, means within each borefor mounting therein a metallic electrical terminal member forpreassembly with lead wires, and means providing interengageable surfaceformations along adjacent longitudinal edges of the body partspermitting independent manipulation and passage of each individual bodypart through limited space areas to a position proximate to that offinal installation and interengagement of said surface formations at theposition of final installation connecting together the said body partsas the composite assembly forming the terminal connector adapted forattachment thereto of a mating terminal connector, the interengageablesurface formations including a rib extending outwardly from the edge ofone body part terminating in a transverse plate portion and acomplemental T-shaped recess along a portion of the edge of an adjacentbody part for receiving the rib and the plate portion in interlockingengagement therewith, and the T-shaped recess being partially defined bya pair of outwardly projecting lug members presenting inwardly directedflanges receiving the rib therebetween, and wherein the rib includesoutwardly projecting wedging lugs intermediate the ends thereof forspreading the lug members as the body parts are slidably assembled withupwardly facing shoulders on said wedging lugs engaging beneath the lugmembers when the body parts are assembled.

5. An electrical terminal connector comprising a composite multi-partinsulating body assembly presenting an elongate cross-sectiontransversely with respect to the width thereof and having multiple boresspaced along the transverse extent of the assembly and extendinglongitudinally through the body parts thereof, means within each borefor mounting therein a metallic electrical terminal member forpreassembly with lead wires, and means providing interengageable surfaceformations along adjacent longitudinal edges of the body partspermitting independent manipulation and passage of each individual bodypart through limited space areas to a position proximate to that offinal installation and interlocking of said surface formations at theposition of final installation connecting together the said body partsas the composite assembly forming the terminal connector adapted forattachment thereto of a mating terminal connector, the interengageablesurface formations including outwardly projecting lug members adjacentthe upper end of one body part and terminating short of the longitudinalextent thereof to leave access spaces therebelow, and wherein the otherbody part includes a T-shaped key member slidably interfitting with saidlug members to join together the adjacent body parts, the rib of saidT-shaped member being provided with wedging lug members intermediate thelength thereof for spreading the projecting lug members on the otherbody part when the body parts are slidably interconnected and presentingupwardly facing shoulders to engage beneath the projecting lug memberslocking the parts in assembled position.

6. An electrical terminal connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein thewedging lug members terminate short of the lateral extent of the ribleaving a space communicating with said access space facilitatinginsertion of an implement to separate the projecting lug members awayfrom engagement with said shoulders for disconnecting the body parts.

7. An electrical terminal connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein thesaid interlocking surface formations are relatively disposed forinterfitting relatively edgewise sliding interconnection between theadjacent longitudinal edges of the body parts.

8. An electrical terminal connector as claimed in claim 7 wherein thespreadable lugs terminate short of the longitudinal edge of theassociated body part to leave access space permitting implementinsertion to separate the spreadable lugs for disconnecting the bodyparts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,625,832 4/1927 Stein 33932,453,014 11/1948 Jackson 339193 X 2,454,173 11/1948 Hicks 339193 X2,469,397 5/1949 Meyek 339217 2,903,671 9/1959 Dreher et al. 3391983,110,537 11/1963 Poetysch et al. 33916 3,344,392 9/ 1967 Briscoe 339633,399,374 8/1968 Pauya et al 339184 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,060,548 11/1953France.

958,681 2/ 1957 Germany.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

